Volume 40, Number 22

Volume 40, Number 22

News & Announcements

To the Gustavus Community from Board Chair Jim Gale: "[On Tuesday, Feb. 26,] the Gustavus Board of Trustees met with the Presidential Search Committee to consider and deliberate on the three presidential candidates who recently visited campus. Following very thoughtful discussion, the Board decided to continue the search for the College’s 15th president. This was the Search Committee’s unanimous recommendation and the Board endorsed it unanimously. We greatly appreciate the committee’s fine work so far and look forward to its ongoing efforts.
"Candidates Jeff Abernathy, David Lose, and R. Guy Erwin are very impressive and they were warmly received by the Gustavus community. It has been a privilege and an honor for us to get to know all three. Search Committee Chair David J. Carlson has extended to Jeff, David, and Guy Gustavus’s sincere appreciation for the time and effort they invested in our College.
"We have every confidence that we will conclude the search in the coming months. Our website will be updated . . . to reflect last night’s decision, and we will continue to stay in good communication with the community.
. . .
"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank all the many individuals and groups who have engaged with this important process. Together, we will find the president who will lead our great institution into the future."

Vice President for Institutional Advancement Search Update... The search committee for Gustavus's next vice president for institutional advancement is progressing in its work. Earlier this month, the group's search consultant visited campus to meet with numerous individuals and groups. The position has been posted in leading industry print and online publications. The committee is preparing to move ahead to telephone interviews with initial candidates. A full prospectus for the position is viewable online (password-protected) at https://gustavus.edu/advancement/search/prospectus.pdf.

Day at the Capitol... Hundreds of students and financial aid supporters from Gustavus Adolphus College and other Minnesota private colleges and universities will gather at the state Capitol this spring to advocate for need-based student financial aid. Gustavus's Day at the Capitol will be shared with Macalester College and is scheduled for Thursday, March 6. The event, produced by the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC), allows students to learn how to become effective advocates while urging state legislators to support Minnesota students. The schedule for the day is as follows:

8 a.m.: Depart on charter buses from Three Flags

9:30 a.m.: Arrive at the Capitol

10 a.m.: Legislative advocacy training

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Meetings with representatives and senators; lunch in the State Office Building cafeteria (per diem provided)

1 p.m.: Addresses from key legislators

1:10 p.m.: Early bus departs from St. Paul to arrive in St. Peter by 3:10 p.m.

For Gustavus students, the day is free of charge including lunch, dinner, and transportation. Faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and others impacted by the State Grant Program are also encouraged to attend. You can sign up online at ga6.org/mnprivatecolleges/capitol.html.

Relay for Life... The Gustavus chapter of Relay for Life will host its 5th Relay on April 18, 2008. Organizers are seeking speakers for the opening ceremony. In the past survivors and caregivers from the College community have shared their stories and inspired all attendees. If you are interested in sharing your story, please contact Grace Bury (gbury@gustavus.edu) or Naomi Quiram (nquiram@gustavus.edu or x7599). Additionally, all members of the Gustavus community are invited to participate in the relay. If you would like to register a team or participate in any way, please let Naomi or Grace know.

Staff Classification Committee Sets Next Meeting... The next meeting of the Staff Reclassification Committee will be held on Thursday, March 20, to evaluate requests for grade changes for support staff positions. In order to be considered at this meeting, a complete request for position review must be received in the Office of Human Resources by March 14.

Tickets on Sale for President's Ball... The 25th annual President's Ball, "Party of the Century," will be held at the Depot in Minneapolis on Saturday, March 15. Tickets are available at the Information Desk until Friday, March 7.

Nominations for Guild of St. Ansgar Invited... Preparations for selection of graduating seniors to the Guild of St. Ansgar are underway. Up to 8 percent of the graduating class will be selected on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and participation in extra-curricular activities. The Selection Committee is composed of faculty appointed by the Student Affairs Committee and students appointed by the Student Senate. Participation forms, soliciting information about activities and positions at Gustavus as well as in church and home communities, have been sent to all senior students. Nominations are made by faculty members and should be submitted to the Office of the Dean of Students by Thursday, March 6. Anyone wishing additional information should contact Dean Hank Toutain.

Campus Happenings

Chapel Schedule... All are invited to the worship services at 10 a.m. weekdays and 10:30 a.m. Sundays in Christ Chapel. The upcoming schedule is as follows:

Friday, Feb. 29 - St. David's Day, gymanfa ganu

Sunday, March 2 - Chaplain Brian Johnson

Monday, March 3 - Neal Hagberg, "If Grace Is True"

Tuesday, March 4 - Neal Hagberg, "Imagine That"

Wednesday, March 5 - Lenten Worship

Thursday, March 6 - Neal Hagberg, "She"

Friday, March 7 - Neal Hagberg, "The Noose"

Welsh Hymn Sing Marks St. David's Day... The 35th St. David's Day in Chapel on Friday, Feb. 29, at 10 a.m. provides an opportunity to sing regardless of whether you are a soprano, alto, tenor, bass, or joyful noise. All faculty, administrators, staff, and students are invited to attend and participate. This annual ethnic event focuses on the four-part hymn singing that is a tradition among the Welsh. A 200-voice student massed choir will lead the congregation in singing four great Welsh hymns under the direction of Gustavus choir directors: Sandon (Lead, Kindly Light), Aberystwyth (Jesus, Lover of My Soul), Calon Lân (I Seek Not Life's Ease and Pleasures), and as usual, Cwm Rhondda (Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah) with full organ and chapel brass accompaniment.

Faculty Recitals Scheduled... Three recitals showcasing faculty performance will take place in Jussi Björling Recital Hall this weekend. On Friday, Feb. 29, at 7:30 p.m., Paul and Helen Baumgartner (music, emeriti) present a piano four-hand recital featuring works by Cervone, Goetz, and Beethoven and including Grieg's Norwegian Dances. Flutist John Samuel Roper (music) takes the stage on Saturday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. accompanied by guest pianist Jieum Kim and bassoonist Ann Pesavento (music); his program includes Bach, Villa-Lobos, Gaubert, and Muczynski. On Sunday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m., the Vecchione/Erdahl Duo—bassist Rolf Erdahl (music) and his wife, Carrie Vecchione, who plays oboe and English horn—complete the weekend when they perform a program of original compositions for oboe and double bass duo, most of which were composed expressly for them in the past decade. Receptions for the performers follow each recital in the Björling lobby.

A Lenten Series in Christ Chapel... "It's Not As Easy As It Seems" is the title of a homily series and residency next week by Neal Hagberg, a 1981 graduate of Gustavus who for the past 20 years has been a fulltime singer and songwriter, performing with his wife, Leandra Peak (a 1983 grad), as Neal & Leandra. He will be offering reflections and music each day at chapel time on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (March 3, 4, 6, & 7), and he will also be visiting with small groups of students and classes. If you want further information, please contact Chaplain Brian (btjohnso@gustavus.edu). On Saturday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m., he has been scheduled by the Office of Fine Arts Programs to present a solo concert in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. The concert is open to the public without charge.

King Lecture Scheduled on Monday... "The Power of Nonviolence: Effective Strategies Against the Global Terrorist Threat" is the title of the College's 2008 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Lecture, to be presented on Monday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall by Professor David Cortright of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame. Cortright is the author of Gandhi and Beyond: Nonviolence in an Age of Terrorism (2006). The King lecture, sponsored annually by the Peace Studies Program, brings a leading peace activist or scholar to campus to honor the legacy of the civil rights leader.

Potter Will Present Wheel Demonstrations... Professor and professional potter Les Laidlaw will be visiting campus on Tuesday, March 4, and will be doing wheel demonstrations from 2 to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in watching the demonstration should come to Room 104 in the Schaefer Art Building.

Remembering Sandy Fuhr... A time of remembrance for former reference librarian Sandy Fuhr (on staff 1994-2000) will be held in Linner Lounge at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5. It will be followed by a blessing of a space in the library in her memory. Please join together as we mourn her loss and celebrate her life. If you want further information, please contact Chaplain Brian (btjohnso@gustavus.edu).

Everything You Want to Know about College Admission... Selecting a college has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. Continuing Education is offering an opportunity to speak with Richard Aune, a veteran admission staff person who is also the parent of a high school senior. Parental and professional advice will be provided as well as an opportunity to ask questions. This is not a recruitment session for Gustavus, but an opportunity for you to get advice on college admission anywhere. The session will be held on Thursday, March 6, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Interpretive Center. Cost is $8 for the public (pre-register at the St. Peter Community and Family Education Office) and free for Gustavus faculty and staff (pre-register by e-mail: ehoefs@gustavus.edu).

'Building Bridges' Conference Next Saturday... The 13th annual student-led "Building Bridges" diversity conference will be held on campus on Saturday, March 8. The theme of this year's conference is "Genocide Awareness: How Will History Judge Us?" Paul Rusesabagina, who gained international fame when his life story became the basis for the Academy Award-nominated film Hotel Rwanda, will deliver the keynote address at 10 a.m. in Christ Chapel. Afternoon workshops are also scheduled. The conference is open to the public, but tickets are required; they may be purchased in advance from the Diversity Center (x7449, or visit gustavus.edu/diversity/buildingbridges). Tickets are $8 per person but are complimentary for Gustavus students, faculty, and staff with a valid I.D., for students from other colleges and universities, and for high school students.

Learn about ACL Injury Prevention... The Gustavus Athletic Training Association will be sponsoring a presentation on ACL injury prevention on Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m. in Lund 207. Dana Birkholz, DPT from the University of Minnesota, and Josh Denny, CSCS from Minnesota State University, Mankato, will be leading the presentation. The presentation will include strengthening and agility exercises that aim to decrease the risk of ACL injury, with particular focus on active individuals. A review of anatomy, mechanism and recognition of injury, and treatment will also be discussed. Faculty are encouraged to pass this information on to students who are pursuing careers in an allied health profession. Frost-your-owns will be provided! If you have any questions, contact Tegan Twait (twait2@gustavus.edu).

Tornado Recovery in Christ Chapel... Join the campus community in Christ Chapel on Monday, March 17, at 10 a.m. as we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tornado. We will place the steeple cross found after the tornado in Christ Chapel and remember that time in prayer. If you want further information, please contact Chaplain Brian Johnson (btjohnso@gustavus.edu).

Off-Campus Events of Interest

2008 Gustavus Music Showcase... The College's three international touring ensembles—the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, led by Warren Friesen; the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, led by Douglas Nimmo; and the Gustavus Choir, led by guest conductor Robert Scholz—will present the 2008 Gustavus Music Showcase at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. The program includes Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings (symphony orchestra), Eric Whitacre's Cloudburst (choir), and David Holsinger's The Death Tree (wind orchestra), which also features Michael Jorgensen (music) as baritone soloist. Members of the audience will have the opportunity to meet ensemble members and conductors at a post-concert reception in the Orchestra Hall lobby. Tickets ($22 general admission, $12 for students age 18 and under) are available through the Orchestra Hall box office (612-371-5656, 800-292-4141, or minnesotaorchestra.org/boxoffice).

Improv at the Arts Center... On Friday, Mar. 14, at 7 p.m., Nocents SPHS Improv Troupe will perform at the Arts Center of Saint Peter (315 S. Minnesota Avenue, St. Peter). Tickets are available at the door: $4 adults, $2 students. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds will go to Autism Foundation. Contact: info@artscentersp.org, 931-3630, or www.artscentersp.org.

Student News

The Gustavus team of senior Mark Myers, first-year Chenyu Yang, and PSEO student Erick Knight won the 2008 Konhauser Problemfest last weekend with a team score of 99 out of 100 (the next highest score was 90). The Konhauser Problemfest is an annual problem competition for three-person MCS teams from Macalester, Carleton, St. Olaf, University of St. Thomas, and Gustavus Adolphus. It was started in 1993 in honor of the late Joe Konhauser, a longtime professor at Macalester who was a very active problemist. The winning college takes home the traveling trophy, which is a granite sculpture of the pizza theorem and its proof. In addition, modest cash awards are made to the top three teams.

Congregational Outreach

Partners in Education... Presenters scheduled for this week include Grady St. Dennis (church relations), who will be giving his talk, "Observing the Speed Limit of Life," at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna, Minn., on Sunday, March 2, at 9:45 a.m. Partners in Education is a program coordinated by the Office of Church Relations in which participating faculty and staff members prepare topical presentations for adult forums, workshops, and seminars in congregations of the ELCA.

Retreats... The Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations Retreat Center, coordinated by the Office of Church Relations, will host a day retreat for the church council of Hope Lutheran Church from Jordan, Minn., on March 1. The Office of Church Relations will host confirmation retreats for House of Hope Lutheran Church from New Hope, Minn., and Salem Lutheran Church from Montevideo, Minn., on Feb. 29 and March 1.

Student Visits... The Office of Church Relations will host the following high school groups from churches with an interest in Lutheran higher education: Bethlehem Lutheran Church from St. Cloud, Minn.

Music in Worship... Any Gustavus music ensemble or soloist is welcome to perform in congregations. For more information, contact Marilyn Beyer (x7001).

Funding Opps

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations' weekly program or funding opportunity highlight:

NIH Research Grants Available... The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) grants to support research at undergraduate and other institutions that have not been major recipients of NIH research grant funds. These grants support small research projects in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, either for feasibility studies, pilot studies, or other small-scale programs that would provide data preliminary to a traditional research project grant or as support for an ongoing program of research. The maximum project award is $150,000 in direct costs, plus facilities and administrative (indirect) costs, and is available for a period of up to three years. The deadlines are June 25, October 25, and February 25. For more information, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/area.htm, which includes a link to frequently asked questions.

For more information on grants or proposal preparation, contact Bob Weisenfeld in the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (x7049 or bweis@gustavus.edu).

In the Media

Here are some noteworthy Gustavus-related stories that recently appeared in print or broadcast media around the nation:

The St. Peter Herald printed a story in its Feb. 21 edition about the town meeting being held regarding the future installation of wind turbines on campus.

Don Myers (art/Hillstrom Museum) was a guest on KTOE radio's "Talk of the Town" program with Pete Steiner on Feb. 25, discussing the Hillstrom Museum in general, the current exhibition, and the upcoming exhibition, Rodin: In His Own Words, Selections from the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Professor Chris Gilbert (political science) was quoted in a MinnPost.com story on Feb. 25 about restructuring at the State Capitol should Tim Pawlenty become John McCain’s running mate in the presidential election.

Student Carla Shutrop was mentioned and pictured in a Feb. 28 Mankato Free Press story regarding the High Risk Drinking Summit held in Mankato.

The St. Peter Herald printed news briefs about St. David’s Day and the Baumgartner piano recital in its Feb. 28 edition.

Anyone who has suggested additions for this list, suggestions for potential future media stories, or interest in being a media source should contact Marketing and Communication (x7520 or ga_news@gustavus.edu).

Postal Pointers

Mail Forwarding... If you are going on leave, leaving employment, or will otherwise be away from hte campus for an extended period, the College Postal Services will forward first-class mail and packages to your new address. Mail is forwarded to the address currently on file with the College. The postage paid by the sender determines how the forwarding is processed by carrier. There is no time limit on the forwarding of your mail. Standard mail and nonprofit mail cannot be forward and will be securely recycled; if you want to remain on their mailing lists, you will need to notify them of your new address. It is important that you inform the Human Resource Department of address changes. Having the most current address on file with the College will ensure prompt forwarding of your mail. Prior to leaving the College, we encourage you to contact individuals, associations, companies, publications, and clubs to inform them of your new address. This will eliminate the necessity of mail forwarding by the College and facilitate the expeditious delivery of your mail directly to you from the sender. Please remember to contact magazines, newspapers, CD/cassette/DVD mail-order companies, banks, and credit card companies.

House for Rent: August 2008-June 2009 (dates negotiable). 3-4 bedroom, 3-bath home located on the ridge east of St Peter; 2 acres of woods, great views and birdwatching abound. Preference is to rent the home furnished, but this is negotiable. Wonderful neighbors in a private, quiet, kid-friendly neighborhood approx. 4-5 miles from Gustavus. Contact Jeff Jeremiason, 507-933-6235 or jjeremia@gustavus.edu.

"Plugs" is maintained as a forum by which members of the Gustavus community may offer goods and services to others in the community, or seek the same from them. It is not meant to accommodate ads or announcements from area businesses such as real estate agents and retailers, although from time to time such announcements may be published when deemed to be of particular interest to the community.

The Yellow Sheet is a newsletter for Gustavus Adolphus College employees produced by the Office of Marketing and Communication. It is published weekly during the academic year (except during the week of Thanksgiving, the Christmas break, Touring Week, and the Spring and Easter breaks). Anyone may submit items by filling out an online submission form. While online, e-mail submissions are preferred, items may also be submitted typewritten on a letter-sized sheet of paper. Send "snail mail" items to: The Yellow Sheet, Office of Marketing and Communication. Items must reach the office no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday before publication. The week of Nobel Conference the deadline is 4:30 p.m. Monday. For more information, contact Steve Waldhauser (ga_news@gustavus.edu or x6413).